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New Diplomatic Incident Between Belgium and U.S.
Tip oâ the hat to BrusselsBlog, who also provides the translation of the original source.BRUSSELS -- Colin Powell, on the request of the white house, has called his Belgian colleague Louis Michel to express new American dissatisfaction. Everything revolves around an interview with the Minister of Defense, André Flahaut, in Humo (ed. a magazine). The pronouncement: "If I were an American, I would vote for a democratââ is considered by Washington to be unacceptable interference. Also some opinions on the American army have been taken very seriously. Yep, thatâs serious. Prime Ministere Guy Verhofstadt was already informed last Friday by the American embassy in Brussels that there was a new row coming with Washington. Everything revolves around an interview in the magazine Humo of last week, with minister André Flahaut (PS). Which was quickly translated at the embassy of the United States in Brussels, as is usual nowadays, and sent to Washington. At the Pentagon, the State department and even the White House responses were furious. Especially the passage concerning his preference for a Democrat in the White House was not taken well. But also Flahauts considerations concerning "the inefficient American army", the genocide law and the actions of the US in Iraq and Iran have caused large rancour. As opposed to the mighty Belgian Army According to Flahaut: "The Americans throw so much money at their army that it simply can no longer act efficiently. If they have to get fifteen men from point A to point B, they will use three planes to be certain that it succeeds. We would send one plane, or even better: first examine if we cannot I think I see why we call them weasels. American circles confirmed yesterday that Flahaut, now more than ever, has been declared persona non grata in Washington. Letâs make that official, be nice to watch the reaction. After lecture of the interview also premier Verhofstadt, who wants to avoid a new row at any cost with the US, Friday immediately has written a letter to his Minister of Defense. In this he calls Flahauts judgements "inappropriate with regards to an ally ââ. In the highest government circles it is not ruled out that it will stay at that. If heâs serious heâll bounce this guy. If he doesnât, weâll know he isnât serious. Also Minister for Foreign Affairs Louis Michel (MR), who had just started a charm offensive directed at the US, could not appreciate Flahauts demarche. He refused all comment yesterday however. "Get that camera outta here!" Posted by: Steve White 2004-01-30 |
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